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How does dynamic meteorology use computer models to study climate change?

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World map with continents shaded in colors representing climate zones, from warm reds and yellows near the equator to cool blues and whites at the poles. — Climate Even in our warming world, there will be some chilly evenings.

In the field of atmospheric science, dynamic meteorologists and numerical modelers use complex computer models to study climate change by simulating the physical laws governing the atmosphere, ocean, and ice.12

These models function by dividing Earth’s surface into a grid of cells and solving mathematical equations to calculate exchanges of energy and momentum. Because some processes, such as clouds or density currents, occur at scales smaller than the grid, researchers use statistical representations to include their effects.13

Scientists use these simulations to:
* Investigate Responses: Models test how the climate system reacts to external radiative forcing and internal variability.1
* Detection and Attribution: By comparing simulated patterns of temperature and wind changes with historical observations, researchers can attribute observed climate shifts to anthropogenic influences.1
* Predict Future Scenarios: Models forecast potential warming patterns based on different emission scenarios, helping scientists understand the long-term impact of human activity on the environment.1